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seen them leaving, at least caught a glimpse, but she hadn’t. Meghan seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Chapter 10
     
    Meghan woke from the strangest dream. Sort of a Wizard of Oz scene, only Donna played Dorothy, and instead of crying for Auntie Em, she called for Meghan. While unsure of the meaning, it reminded her she needed more information. She’d been here for what, three days, four? She really had no idea how much time had passed and had even less of a clue about where Donna had gone or why she hadn’t come back. She’d let her weakness, inability to speak, and Will get her sidetracked. Time for some answers—after she relieved herself.
    She needn’t worry about being overheard. From the commotion in the kitchen, Charlie and Will were having an argument. She squatted over the enamel pot and got an earful.
    “You best get gone before the snow starts. We need winter supplies, and you’re already a week behind schedule messin’ ’round with that filly.”
    “Hold your tongue, old man.”
    “Get yourself to town and visit Miss May’s gals. You was right fond of that little redhead as I recall. Kathy, weren’t that her name? Then you’ll see I’m right.”
    “My affairs are none of your business, Charlie.”
    “She’s a pretty little thing, Will, I’ll give you that. But you seem to be forgetting she’s a thief. How the hell did she get here? You don’t find a woman alone in these parts, ’specially not a young, good-lookin’ one.”
    They meant her! What did he mean a thief? She’d never stolen so much as a pack of gum. She bit back a yelp when she forgot to crumple the paper and about sliced her twat. She didn’t need any more injuries. And who and what the hell were Kathy and Miss May’s? She rose too quickly, causing the world to spin for an instant. She grabbed at the bed post. The dizzy spells seemed to be getting better. At least that’s what she told herself. She straightened her shirt, smoothing a hand over the flannel. This one belonged to Will. Not nearly so wide and at least a foot longer than Charlie’s, it reached mid-calf. She stuffed her feet in her boots and drew the makeshift curtain aside.
    Both men turned in her direction. A grin lit Will’s face, and she couldn’t help smile back any more than stop the butterflies somersaulting in her belly. Charlie scowled, and she gave his frown back double. Whatever burr he had under his saddle, he could just take care of himself. She took the coffee Will held out to her, drank a healthy swallow, and cleared her throat. Would her voice return today?
    She thought the words over in her head before opening her mouth. “I’m no thief.” Charlie whirled from the stove sloshing gravy over the floor. She’d said it out loud, all right. Before she lost her momentum or her voice, she drank a little more coffee. “My name is Meghan, Meghan Dennehy. I fell. Don’t ’member how I got here.” Her voice began to waver like a bad tenor. “Where’s Donna?”
    She stomped her foot and swiped at her eyes. Damn, did they even understand the last part? She tried a couple more times but only managed to sound like a strangled chicken. Will put his arms around her and rubbed soothing circles on her back. She let him hold her. He was on her side. She didn’t even glance in Charlie’s direction.
    “You did real well, Meghan. That’s sure a pretty name.” He tilted her chin up and wiped her eyes with his thumbs. “Come and sit, have a bite of breakfast. Maybe you can talk some more after.”
    Meg let him guide her to a chair at the table and set a plate in front of her. The gravy made the biscuits tolerable, barely. She kept her attention on her plate or Will and ignored the old man completely. A sense of déjà vu swept over her, sending chills down her spine. She glanced around the room, noting again the familiarity, only to dismiss the notion. She finished her food and coffee, opened her mouth, and tried again. Frustrated, she made a